TechwareLabs Thinking Outside the Cube

Introduction:

Ultra, the company who’s claim to fame is inventing the modular power supply, brings us another one of their X4 creations. This 1050 Watt installment is very similar to the 850 Watt version that we reviewed a while ago. Their last power supply got good marks in the lab, lets see if their more powerful version can pull off the same.

At 1050 Watts this power supply is targeted towards users with power hungry systems. A look at the number and type of connectors on the rear of the power supply indicates that it is clearly meant for a computer with many components key of which are PCI-E video cards.

Dell E2210H 21.5″ Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor Only $149 after $50 Coupon Savings. Coupon code: ?FZR1V7ZXFBLBS

ViewSonic VA2223 22″ Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor w/Built in Speakers!! Only $149 after $27 Coupon Savings. Coupon code: 4BKF4DZ$02D6MZ

CES 2010: Plextor Launches SSDs and New 24x External Writer with eSATA Dual Interface

Plextor’s first line of solid-state drives and the new PX-880UE external eSATA writer announced at CES

Plextor LLC (www.plextor.com), a leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance digital media equipment, announces its first line of solid-state drives (SSDs), as well as the new PX-880UE 24X external eSATA writer, at CES. Plextor will be located in the Philips & Lite-On Digital Solutions (PLDS) suite in the Mirage.

Plextor introduces its first generation of SSDs, using non-volatile NAND Flash memory as the storage medium. The new SSDs, which utilize Marvell controller chipsets, deliver faster speeds for system boot-up, application launch and file transfer, lower power consumption and longer battery life, among other benefits.  They will be available as 64GB or 128GB in the first quarter of 2010.

Equipped with Plextor’s unique Wear Leveling algorithm, Plextor SSDs can prevent degradation of drive performance and prolong product life. Based on PCMark and SYSMark benchmark tests, Plextor SSDs were the only drive that maintained the same level of performance regardless of whether or not the drives were clean or dirty.

“Plextor has a lot of new items in the works, and we’re excited to announce our first line of SSDs to meet consumers’ demand for low power consumption, enhanced performance and reliability,” said Christine Hsing, Marketing Manager at PLDS. “The new eSATA drive is a great move forward for us as well – it further expands consumers’ options by providing both a SATA and a USB 2.0 connection.”

The new PX-880UE is a 24X external DVD/CD writer which offers both an eSATA and USB 2.0 dual connection for faster speed, performance and versatility. The drive also features Plextor’s own PlexERASE and PlexUTILITIES, as well as LightScribe for quick and simple disc labeling.

The recently-released 12X internal Blu-ray writer, the PX-B940SA, is also available for demonstration in the suite. The drive provides users with a convenient solution for Blu-ray playback, while simultaneously offering increased storage capacity with BD writing capabilities.  Bundled with CyberLink’s TrueTheater™ HD technology, consumers can easily boost DVD video and audio quality to achieve HD-like results and smoother playback.

ENERMAX is stepping up to the need of energy and money-saving products with these two desktop PSU series from 500 up to 900 watts. MODU87+ is the modular cable series, while PRO87+ is native. Both will complement ENERMAX running 80+, 82+, and 85+ PSU series and incorporate the latest technologies with a major breakthrough:

Up to now, all manufacturers concentrated on the DC stage to improve the efficiency. But the technology used in the DC stage (during and after conversion of AC to DC) has come to the maximum, and achieving 87+ efficiency is the very limit of this approach. To achieve 87+ or even higher efficiency with good performance needs additional innovations on the AC stage. ENERMAX has invented three innovations bundled into the new DHT-topology:

The inventions center on the adoption of dynamic frequencies, voltages and conversion instead of traditional static ones. These dynamic optimization designs not only push the efficiency up to shocking 92%, but also improve stability and performance to new heights without sacrificing any safety or regulations. Moreover, the incorporation of a 13.9cm Twister bearing fan with the patented SpeedGuard fan control brings MODU87+ and PRO87+ to unprecedented silence @ 50oC.

ENERMAX is proud to announce the launch of two PSU series – “MODU87+” & “PRO87+”.

iBUYPOWER, a leading innovator of gaming PCs, is excited to announce it is now offering liquid CPU cooling on all compatible desktop systems, including iBUYPOWER’s signature system Chimera II, at no additional charge in an effort to make liquid cooling more accessible to every customer..  The iBUYPOWER liquid cooling solution features a heat-dissipating 120mm radiator with a water block/pump combination and is the perfect fit for a gamer looking for an affordable overclockable rig.  iBUYPOWER will also continue to offer the Asetek 240mm liquid cooling solution on all of its Paladin XLC units at no additional charge.

“We embrace new technologies and incorporate them into our builds to offer our customers the best gaming systems possible,” said Darren Su, Vice President of iBUYPOWER.  “Liquid cooling has evolved to the point of becoming the standard in our industry and we believe it has become an essential component of competitive gaming. We want to make sure that this technology is accessible to every single one of our users.”

iBUYPOWER’s offer is set to expand the availability of Liquid cooling to every computer user, placing iBUYPOWER’s systems at the forefront of technological innovation and value. Liquid cooled systems run cooler and more reliably than air-cooled systems, extending the lifespan of parts and expanding overclocking headroom.

Gamers looking to get the most out of their liquid cooled systems can take advantage of the iBUYPOWERLabs’ Power Drive Overclocking Service.  iBUYPOWER is a two-time winner of Intel’s “Most Innovative Desktop Solution” award at the Intel Solutions Summit, and offers other innovative iBUYPOWER exclusive products and services developed in the iBUYPOWER Labs, including the Harmony sound reduction system, the Internal USB Expansion System, and is the first gaming PC builder to adapt Asetek’s 240mm radiator liquid cooling system.  iBUYPOWER also offers its Specialized Advanced Packaging System with expanding foam inserts to prevent damage during shipping.

24GB triple-channel kit designed for professional applications and performance enthusiasts

FREMONT, California, December 15, 2009 — Corsair, a worldwide leader in high-performance computer and flash memory products, today announced a 24GB Dominator triple-channel DDR3 memory kit designed for high-performance desktop and workstation computing applications.

Corsair’s 24GB Dominator DDR3 memory kit has been rigorously tested in high-performance platforms based on the Intel® X58 motherboard chipset for Intel® Core™ i7 [Bloomfield] processors. It comprises six 4GB DDR3 DIMMs that operate at a frequency of 1333MHz, at latency timings of 9-9-9-27, with 1.65V VDIMM. The 24GB Dominator memory kit also features Corsair’s patented DHX+ heatsink technology for optimal cooling and reliability. The modules, equipped with signature American Racing Blue heatsink fins, are found on select Corsair Dominator DDR3 memory for Intel® Core™ i5 and Core™ i7 platforms in 8GB and 12GB kits.

“Corsair’s 24GB Dominator memory kit is perfect for high-performance computing applications, including computational research, HD digital content creation, working with multiple virtual machines, and other data-intensive applications,” said John Beekley, VP of Technical Marketing at Corsair. “The latest multi-core Intel and AMD™ CPUs, combined with sophisticated graphics processors from Nvidia® and AMD, are capable of performing incredible workloads. Corsair’s 24GB Dominator memory kit enables the large number of concurrent threads and substantial datasets required by these applications.”

The Corsair 24GB Dominator DDR3 memory kit (part number CMD24GX3M6A1333C9) is available immediately from the Corsair Store.

An image of the Corsair 24GB Dominator triple-channel kit is available for download here

About DHX+ Technology
Corsair’s innovative DHX+ technology uses specially designed, high-quality heatsinks and a custom-designed PCB that allows both the front and rear of the memory ICs, and the printed circuit board itself, to be cooled. DHX+ technology also allows for the cooling fins to be removed, allowing for a range of modular cooling accessories including extended heatsink fins, the Corsair Cooling™ Hydro Series H30 water cooling block and Corsair Cooling™ Ice Series T30 sub-ambient cooling subsystem, which cools the memory up to 20C below room temperature for maximum overclocking performance. DHX and DHX+ designs are covered by US Patent number 7,606,034.

About Corsair
Founded in 1994, Corsair Memory, Inc., is a worldwide leader in high performance components for personal computers. Specializing in very high performance memory and ultra- efficient power supplies, our flagship products, Including Dominator™ memory modules, are the choice of overclockers, enthusiasts, and gamers everywhere. Our expertise in design and manufacturing is also evident in our complete line of Flash Voyager® and Flash Survivor™ USB storage devices. Corsair offers 24/7 customer support via forums and the Tech Support Express helpdesk. For more information, please visit www.corsair.com